Wilma Lee Skipjack 36 Inches Ship Model

Wilma Lee Skipjack – 36-Inch Handcrafted Wooden Model

Own a handcrafted model of the Wilma Lee Skipjack, one of the most beloved surviving skipjacks and a proud symbol of the Chesapeake Bay's rich maritime heritage. Built in 1940 at the renowned Bronza Ward Boat Yard in Crisfield, Maryland, the Wilma Lee was designed specifically for oyster dredging in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Combining traditional skipjack design with exceptional durability and sailing performance, she spent decades supporting Maryland's historic oyster industry before being carefully restored as a floating ambassador of the region's maritime culture. Today, the Wilma Lee continues to educate and inspire new generations, preserving the legacy of one of America's last commercial sailing fleets.

Our 36-inch handcrafted Wilma Lee Skipjack model faithfully captures the distinctive appearance of this historic working sailboat. Each model is individually built by experienced craftsmen using the traditional plank-on-frame construction method—the same principle used in real wooden shipbuilding. We select only premium hardwoods, including Western Red Cedar, Teak, and Mahogany, ensuring exceptional durability, refined craftsmanship, and a timeless museum-quality finish.

Every element is carefully recreated, from the gracefully shaped wooden hull and towering mast to the intricate standing and running rigging, hand-stitched sails, spacious working deck, oyster dredging equipment, boom, railings, anchors, deck fittings, and other signature features that define the Wilma Lee. Rather than being mass-produced, each model is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a stunning display piece worthy of any maritime, historical, or nautical collection.

The 36-inch model offers an exceptional balance of impressive scale and fine craftsmanship. Its larger size allows for even greater detail and a more commanding display presence while remaining suitable for bookshelves, executive offices, display cabinets, or home libraries. The increased dimensions provide additional realism, making it an outstanding centerpiece for sailing enthusiasts, maritime historians, collectors, or anyone who appreciates the rich heritage of Chesapeake Bay's working sailboats.

Each piece is individually handcrafted, and production typically takes 3–6 months, depending on the model's size and complexity. Throughout the process, we'll keep you updated with detailed progress photos at every major milestone, allowing you to review the craftsmanship and approve each stage before we move forward.

You'll receive photos during:

- Hull construction
- Deck detailing and superstructure assembly
- Final painting and finishing

Your satisfaction comes first. We proceed to the next stage only after you've reviewed the previous one.

Secure Worldwide Delivery

Once you approve the completed model, it will be carefully packed in a custom-built wooden shipping crate with multiple layers of protective cushioning to ensure it arrives safely anywhere in the world.

Custom Orders Available

Looking for a different size or a personalized version? We offer custom dimensions, modifications, and bespoke designs upon request. Whether you'd like a larger display model, a custom nameplate, personalized markings, or a specific historical configuration, our craftsmen are ready to bring your vision to life.

Bring home a handcrafted tribute to one of the Chesapeake Bay's most iconic skipjacks. Whether you're expanding a maritime collection, decorating your office, celebrating Maryland's oyster fishing heritage, or searching for a meaningful gift, our handcrafted Wilma Lee Skipjack model is built to become a centerpiece you'll be proud to display for years to come.

Contact us today to begin building your custom Wilma Lee Skipjack model.

History
The Wilma Lee is one of the Chesapeake Bay's most celebrated historic skipjacks, preserving the rich heritage of America's traditional oyster fishery. Built in 1940 at the Lee family boatyard in Wingate, Maryland, the wooden sailing vessel was designed specifically for dredging oysters in the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Measuring approximately 47 feet (14.3 meters) in length, the Wilma Lee features the characteristic shallow-draft hull, centerboard, and powerful sail plan that made skipjacks highly efficient working boats. Throughout her commercial career, she harvested oysters during the sailing season, helping sustain Maryland's seafood industry while demonstrating the craftsmanship and practicality of Chesapeake Bay boatbuilders.

After retiring from commercial fishing, the Wilma Lee was carefully restored to preserve her historic character and continue the traditions of the Chesapeake watermen. Today, she is operated by the Living Classrooms Foundation as a sailing classroom and educational vessel based in Baltimore, offering hands-on programs that teach traditional seamanship, maritime history, and environmental stewardship. She also participates in festivals, public cruises, and skipjack races, allowing visitors to experience one of the last surviving examples of this uniquely American sailing workboat. As one of the few remaining operational skipjacks, the Wilma Lee stands as a living symbol of the Chesapeake Bay's oyster industry and the generations of skilled sailors and watermen who earned their livelihoods under sail.